New Year's Eve Celebration Scroll. Eight-fold. Qing Dynasty. Painted by Dong Gao. Ink and color on paper (23.9x25.4 cm). Twenty-first year of the Qianlong reign. Collection of the Taipei Palace Museum-PDF

This album, titled "Jian La Ying Xiang Tu" (Farewell to the Old Year and Welcome the New), was painted by Dong Gao during the Qing Dynasty. It consists of eight panels, depicting the lively scenes of the 民间 (folk) celebrations during the transition from the old year to the new, from sending away the old year to welcoming the spring. The scenes are presented in the following order: The Lao Gu drumming to herald the new year, seeking guests and offering New Year's Eve treats, magpies chirping to announce spring, sending off the Kitchen God, drinking 屠苏酒 (Tu Su wine) together on the first day of the lunar year, auspicious snow foretelling a bountiful year, staying up to welcome the New Year's Eve, and fireworks to usher in good fortune. Each panel is inscribed with a poem by the Qing Jiaqing Emperor. This album was painted in the twenty-first year of the Jiaqing reign and is now housed in the Taipei Palace Museum.

Cover (Regular Script) Farewell the Old, Welcome the New

Peaceful New Year Drums

Cold stream spreads jade on the board bridge, village houses linked with clouds, joy in the years. Advance the New Year, all bright and prosperous, children beat the Peaceful sound to the end.

Jujube plate gives gifts and asks well.

Towards Rongqun, trees flourish on the plains, near water, leaning against forests, reflecting short walls. In years past, seeking guests, I passed by winding shores, a small stream coming to my cottage in a glance.

Good Omen Before Spring

Magpies gather on branches, noisy in the morning chill, ten thousand floating bamboos reporting peace. A sign before spring foretells a healthy year, village elders with canes watching to welcome joy.

Yellow Sheep Worshiping the Kitchen Fire

The Han Dynasty once passed down the story of Yin Zifang, where during the Jiaping era, a yellow sheep was used for the sacrificial fire ceremony. The five household deities followed the rites of the Zhou Dynasty, and households that accumulated virtue were blessed with good fortune.

Wushu for Longevity

To welcome the new year, a pot of wine was offered under the thatch, and the old man drank the Wushu last. A good friend from the village brought a jar, and toasting for longevity, he didn’t wait to buy.

Three white snowflakes as auspicious signs

The same clouds condense in the universe, spreading auspicious snow, the jade accumulates, and the fields are evenly level. Three whites signify abundance, a sign of great fortune, eliminating locusts, cultivating wheat, and benefiting new plowing.

Surrounding the stove to pass the old year

The three elders around the stove talk through the night, not realizing the old year has passed. Frequently adding animal charcoal to see the candles, the dawn sways, and jade plum branches.

Welcoming auspicious fire to welcome spring

Xin Shao harmonious law reaches budding, auspicious explosions resonate together households welcome. Waste dispelled joy abundant, joyful children and elders spring voices. Bing Zi New Spring Imperial composed